Polinaut: October 15, 2008 Archive

The Daily Digest: 10-15-08

Posted at 5:34 AM on October 15, 2008 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Daily Digest

A look at political advertising in the Twin Cities shows that the candidates, political committees and special interests have scheduled nearly $32 million in TV ads in the Twin Cities market. That figure is bound to grow as Election Day gets closer. Check out MPR's online database to dig deeper into the data here.

2008 Race for President

Barack Obama and John McCain prepare for tonight's debate.

A new poll says negative ads have backfired on McCain which leads to the question "Did they backfire on GOP Sen. Norm Coleman?"

Obama bought ad time - in Video Games! It's come a long way since Donkey Kong and Pitfall. "I'm Super Mario and I approved this message."

The Republicans keep the questions coming regarding voter fraud and ACORN.

Obama comments on the controversy. He said his campaign doesn't need ACORN's help.

The ACORN issue also surface in Minnesota. Hennepin County will examine late voter registration. AP, The Star Tribune and MPR have stories.

McCain proposes tax cuts as a part of economic package.

Christopher Buckley, the son of William F. Buckley, leaves the National Review after endorsing Barack Obama.

There is more info regarding Todd Palin's visit to Minnesota.

The Washington Post says Gov. Pawlenty may visit Michigan to help shore up an angry GOP base. They're angry because the McCain camp pulled up the stakes in that state.

2008 Race for Senate

Stu Rothenberg says Minnesota is a toss-up.

UPDATE: The Pi Press writes that the negative ads continue even despite Coleman's plea.

Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman (an Independent Democrat) goes to bat for GOP Sen. Norm Coleman.

The Hill profiles I-P candidate Dean Barkley.

The New York Times gives you a sample of the Senate ads running across the country.

The L.A. Times says the Chamber of Commerce targets DFLer Al Franken. Really? I hadn't noticed on any of the TV stations.

An anti-abortion group targets Franken.

Charlie Cook says it's not going to be good for Republicans this year. Coleman is mentioned.

2008 Race for Congress

The DCCC adds DFLer Elwyn Tinklenberg to the Red to Blue program which basically means more money for the DFLer challenging GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann in Minnesota's 6th Congressional District. The Hill and the Star Tribune have stories.

KARE and WCCO profile the race in the 3rd.

3rd District DFLer Ashwin Madia and Republican Erik Paulsen attend separate U of M Humphrey Forums. Listen to their speeches here.

The Star Tribune takes a look at the race in Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District. The Rochester Post-Bulletin says GOP Rep. John Kline holds a huge cash advantage over DFL challenger Steve Sarvi.

KSTP has video of some of their debates.

2008 Other

The Pi Press says voter registration has reached an all time high.

The Star Tribune says volunteers are lining up to help out at the polls.

2008 Race for Legislature

The Star Tribune says the gas tax is no longer a hot issue.

Congress

DFL Rep. Tim Walz will attend a Congressional hearing on the financial crisis.

State Government

The Bemidji Pioneer takes a look at how the property tax cap is impacting local governments.

More than 50 bridge victims file for compensation.

Minnesota's cold weather rule goes into effect.

Todd Palin visit

Posted at 9:21 AM on October 15, 2008 by Tom Scheck

Here's the info on Todd Palin's visit to Minnesota. As you know, Mr. Palin is the husband to GOP Vice-Presidential candidate Sarah Palin. Here's the e-mail the McCain campaign sent to supporters:

Dear Friends,

As you may have heard, Todd Palin, husband of Governor Sarah Palin will be making five stops in northern Minnesota this week. All are welcome to attend, please use the links below to register for any of the events.

Thursday, October 16 - 2 PM -
Gander Mountain - Hermantown
4275 Haines Road
Hermantown, MN

Thursday, October 16 - 4:30 PM -
Timberlake Lodge Inn
144 SE 17th Street
Grand Rapids, MN

Thursday, October 16 - 6:30 PM -
Bemidji Woolen Mills
888 Industrial Park Drive SE
Bemidji, MN

Friday, October 17 - 9:30 AM -
Arctic Cat Factory
601 Brooks Ave. South
Thief River Falls, MN

Friday, October 17 - 2 PM-
Scheel's Sporting Goods
505 Center Ave.
Moorhead, MN

Troubling times....

Posted at 9:34 AM on October 15, 2008 by Tom Scheck (4 Comments)

We've reported on how some of John McCain's supporters were expressing anger and hostility towards Barack Obama.

There have also been complaints by the GOP that the hostility is just as fierce by Barack Obama's supporters. The anger may not be directed at John McCain so much but it's clear it's directed at Sarah Palin.

Visit this site to see how her experience, record and life history are being mocked.

Whoever wins this election is going to be taking over a country that faces some tough challenges. It's also clear that some voters are going to be very, very angry with the outcome.

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Picture time!

Posted at 10:50 AM on October 15, 2008 by Tom Scheck (2 Comments)

As the campaign draws closer, folks will be using their creativity to attract attention. Two members of MPR's staff took some photos that should entertain. If you see anything creative, get a lit piece or a fundraising alert send them my way (tscheck@mpr.org). We may very well put the stuff on the blog.

Minnesota Public Radio producer Jim Bickal took this picture on Snelling Ave. in St. Paul. It was across the street from Macalester College. He said the sign lights up at night.

MPR Reporter Tom Weber took this photo on Hwy. 169 near Princeton. GOP Rep. Sondra Erickson appears to be taking the "Drill, Baby, Drill" mantra to a whole new level.

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Franken raises $4.4 million in last quarter

Posted at 2:20 PM on October 15, 2008 by Tom Scheck

DFL U.S. Senate candidate Al Franken raised $4.4 million in the last quarter, something the campaign said is a state record.

GOP Sen. Norm Coleman raised $1.5 million in the last quarter. $2.8 million for the quarter (his initial figure was for post primary not for the entire quarter).

Coleman raised $1.6 million from August 21st - September 30th. Franken raised $3 million in the same time period.

MPR's Mark Zdechlik reports, however, that Coleman has more cash on hand. Coleman has nearly $4 million left in the bank. Franken has $2.75 million. No word yet on I-P candidate Dean Barkley's fundraising figure.

ENPR: McCain/Economy hurting Paulsen

Posted at 5:03 PM on October 15, 2008 by Tom Scheck

The Evans Novak Political Report says the McCain/Economy contagion is hurting Republican House candidates (incumbents and challengers) and are hoping to stem the losses at no more than 12 seats. Despite that, ENPR says Republican Erik Paulsen can still win the race without help from the NRCC:

The ballast being tossed overboard includes open-seat candidates Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White in New Mexico and State Rep. Erik Paulsen in Minnesota, both with decent chances to retain GOP-held open seats. These candidates can win without NRCC money, but the committee's retrenchment reveals a party running for cover with its tail between its legs.

Paulsen is running against DFLer Ashwin Madia and I-P candidate David Dillon in the race to replace GOP Rep. Jim Ramstad in Minnesota's 3rd Congressional District.

Madia and Paulsen running almost even in money race

Posted at 5:10 PM on October 15, 2008 by Curtis Gilbert
Filed under: U.S. MN CD3

DFLer Ashwin Madia out-fundraised his Republican opponent Erik Paulsen by more than $100,000 over the last three months, pulling almost even in both total dollars raised and cash on hand.

Madia and Paulsen have both pulled in more than $2 million dollars overall and had about half of that left as of the end of September, according to federal campaign finance filings released today. Paulsen had about $15,000 more cash on hand than Madia did at that time.

The race in Minnesota's 3rd District is on track to be the most expensive congressional contest in Minnesota history. The campaigns and outside groups trying to influence the race have pumped $5.8 million into local television stations' advertising coffers.

Independence Party candidate David Dillon has raised only $6,500 since the beginning of July. As of the filing, he had about $100,000 left of the $120,000 he has donated to his own campaign.